Forum Entomologi Italiani

Hello!
Could anyone help me with this species.
I am using the Italian identification key (Ballerio et al., 2009) but it keeps pointing me to A. fimetarius.
I am not sure if this is or is not fimetarius, but the elitra are colored a little different, and the points in the interstria are somewhat deeper. I am aware that it could be some species that inhabits northern Croatia, and is not present in Italy, and as so in the identification key, but I do not know any other similar species.
I apologize for the bad photos, but it is the best that I managed with the equipment I have now.
Many thanks!

It is surely Aphodius fimetarius, a little variable species.

Ciao
Piero

Recently, some authors, after a chromosomal analysis, have divided the "A. fimetarius complex" in two species, recognisable, according to them, also for external morphological characters. Please see Wilson & Angus (2004) and mainly Rössner (2012).
Anyway, a nomenclatorial fight is still underway for the valid names of the two supposed species.

Many thanks!
So in the end, it is only a common A. fimetarius
In each case, it is good to be sure!

RÖßNER E. 2012: Die Hirschkäfer und Blatthornkäfer Ostdeutschlands (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea). Verein der Freunde & Förderer des Naturkundemuseums Erfurt e.V., Erfurt, 508 pp.:

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Daniel

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